Citroen C4

For nearly two decades, Citroen has lagged behind the compact family hatchback elite. Not since the ZX took top honours at our New Car Awards in 1991 has the company made a car capable of beating the best in this fiercely contested sector. But bosses believe that’s set to change.

The new C4 was developed with space, comfort and quality in mind, leaving the forthcoming DS4 to meet the demands of family buyers who want sleek styling and sporty dynamics. As a result, the conservative styling should come as no surprise. It has clearly been designed to appeal to a wide audience, and the quirky lines and bold detailing of the previous car have been dropped in favour of grown-up appeal.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Citroen C4

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While it’s handsome and well proportioned, the Citroen lacks the flair of the DS3 supermini and is forgettable next to the smart VW. The chrome double chevron grille and swept-back headlamps look the part, but the rest of car is anonymous. 

Not even the standard 17-inch alloys and chrome detailing of our top-spec Exclusive test car help it stand out.

Climb aboard, and it’s clear designers have made more of an effort inside. The bold dash is angled around the driver, and features eye-catching digital readouts for the speedo, rev counter and fuel gauge. This layout won’t be to all tastes, but it’s possible to change the colour of the instrument backlighting at the touch of a button. You can even select a different warning chime for the indicator repeater!

Elsewhere, there’s a clearly laid-out centre console that houses buttons for the heating and stereo. Many of the functions can also be controlled using the confusing array of switches and roller-style dials on the steering wheel. The busy layout takes some getting used to, as some of the controls are unlabelled and don’t operate with precision.

There are no complaints about the quality on offer, though, as it’s a match for the Golf. Soft-touch materials are used throughout, which helps to provide a truly upmarket feel. And the C4 squeezes ahead of the VW when it comes to standard kit. Dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth connectivity feature as standard, while the front seats get a massage function.

The Citroen delivers a further blow to its rival in terms of space. Passengers in the rear get a similar amount of head and legroom, but the 380-litre boot is 30 litres bigger than the Golf’s. Only the limited cubby space lets the C4 down – the glovebox is useless as it has to accommodate the fuse box.

Head to the test track, and the Citroen shines. Its smooth and refined 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers 10bhp more than the Golf’s unit, so it dominated our performance tests. Mid-range muscle was particularly strong, with the sprint from 50-70mph in sixth gear dispatched in only 10.4 seconds – that’s 1.1 seconds quicker than its German rival.

The Citroen feels even faster in traffic thanks to its sharp throttle response and hefty 340Nm torque output, which is delivered at only 2,000rpm. Sadly, the newcomer’s pace isn’t matched by its dynamics. Thread the C4 through a series of corners and you’ll have plenty of grip, but the steering offers no feedback, while soft suspension results in plenty of body roll. Keen drivers will also be put off by the long throw and vague action of the six-speed manual gearbox.

Even the French firm’s famed suspension expertise isn’t enough to save the C4. It’s a relaxing long- distance companion, but it rides on conventional steel springs rather than hydropneumatics. 

When you hit a pothole or expansion joint, the resulting crash that shudders through the cabin comes as quite a shock. It seriously compromises comfort – the very attribute that Citroen was clearly seeking to optimise.

At least the C4 has price on its side. In top-of-the-range Exclusive 2.0 HDi trim, it costs £21,495 only £346 more than the Golf, which is slower and doesn’t come as well equipped. Does this offset the compromises the new Citroen demands in other areas?

Details

Chart position: 2
WHY: Family-friendly Citroen promises a spacious and high-quality interior, as well as superb refinement. But distinctive styling of predecessor has been ditched.